Navarre Beach Yacht Club Celebrating 20th anniversary

When the Navarre Beach Yacht Club held its first meeting, the area was a different place.

Residents on Navarre Beach had to go to the mainland to pick up their mail; there were far fewer residents, and those that were here were looking for a social outlet.

For more on this story, see the May 26 edition of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.

Twenty years later, group members as well as past Commodores gathered on May 21 at the marina at Juana’s Pagoda to celebrate two decades of boating and friendship.

The Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Navarre performed a Blessing of the Fleet before the festivities began.

The yacht club’s charter states that their mission is to “provide a venue for the fun and enjoyment of the members,” and Saturday’s events lived up to that goal.

Commodore Emeritus Chuck Howard of Navarre said that at the peak of activity, there were more than 25 boats and countless revelers on the dock at Juana’s. All participants had joined together to honor the groups longevity.